Two more 4-star commitments popped for Clemson Sunday morning in the aftermath of the Tigers major junior day Saturday. DE Cade Denhoff (6-5 225) of Lakeland, FL and TE Jake Briningstool (6-6 215) of Brentwood, TN announced their commitments on Twitter. They follow fellow 4-star WD Beaux Collins of Bellflower, CA who made his commitment announcement Saturday night.
Denhoff picked the Tigers over LSU, and he also had Alabama, Nebraska, Ohio State, Penn State, Virginia and Georgia on his short list. He also visited Clemson for a game in October and saw things then that ultimately led to his commitment.
“Their culture is probably what I like most about them. That’s what stood out,” Denhoff said. “Their family atmosphere. They say they like my rangy, tall frame and my motor. Their defense is really good and they have had a history of getting to the quarterback. (Coach Brent) Venables puts the defensive line in great position to get sacks. Coach Venables talks a lot about my motor and how hot that is, which is usually the biggest thing with a lot of schools. That’s one of the things he likes the most, how I attack the ballcarrier full speed all the time.”
Last season Denhoff had 92 tackles with 11 sacks. The 247Sports composite ranks him the #7 strongside defensive end in the country and the #13 prospect in Florida.
Briningstool visited Clemson last June and also in September and the Tigers built a strong lead for him thru those earlier visits. He said following his in-season visit that his relationship with tight ends coach Danny Pearman was a big reason for that.
“I like Coach Pearman a lot,” Briningstool said. “He’s a real family guy and I really like that about him. He’s more of a father figure to the tight ends who are there now and I really, really like that about him.”
Briningstool also talked with head coach Dabo Swinney while on that visit and got the message from him about how he was viewed by the coaching staff.
“We just talked and he was telling me how much of a priority I am to the class and how I’m the only tight end they’ve offered so far and I’m the one they wanted,” Briningstool said. “That was a good conversation.”
Briningstool is rated the #2 tight end in the country and the #1 prospect in Tennessee by the 247Sports composite. Last season he had 49 catches for 863 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Some of his other offers included USC, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Alabama, Duke, Florida State, LSU, Georgia, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Miami and Virginia Tech.
The Tigers now have eight commitments for their 2021 class.
